Don't Give Up!

           

           For several years, I worked as an instructional assistant in our local elementary school.  I worked with children who struggled, not because they weren’t capable, but they needed “one on one” attention a classroom teacher just couldn’t give them.  There was one little girl who taught me a lesson!

            When she was reading, she would often get stuck on a word. With coaxing, she would figure out the word; but then she would go back to the beginning of the sentence and begin again.  In this way, she not only learned the word, but strengthened her reading ability over all. There were days when she would become frustrated, but she didn’t quit!

            Jesus teaches us we should be like that small child.  She didn’t give up; she would begin again.  When things are not going our way or our prayer requests seem unanswered, we need to go back to the beginning.  When we become frustrated we need to let God know.  He wants us to tell him how we feel.  Isn’t this what best friends are for?  We must never give up!  We need to seek Jesus in prayer.  We should continue to seek his counsel and will, and believe there will be results.  When we do this, not only will we see answers to our prayers, but our relationship with Christ will grow stronger.

            This child’s insight into doing the right thing – by not giving up – made me also think of the Cherokee Indians who didn’t give up during the Trail of Tears in 1838 at the end of the Civil War.  Many Indians lost their lives while making the long trek across the country; others stayed hidden in the hills, not giving up on the land they loved and land they called their own.  There are plenty of other instances in God's Word and our nation's history of those who refused to cave to surrounding elements or enemies.  They moved forward toward their "cause," regardless of obstacles.

            I’d like to be like the little girl I worked with those years ago, the Cherokee Indians, and others who weren’t ready to ‘give in’ to the powers that be that threatened the course of their lives.  We need to believe that things need to be done right.

            Our Christian walk can become frustrating with the demands of life.  We plan and schedule in Bible Study and prayer time, but life has other ideas!  Children get sick, a call comes in, company comes or we don’t feel well.  My nemesis has always been travel.  I get in a ‘good groove’ for several weeks, and then there is a road trip, sometimes lasting only a few days; other times several weeks.  Whatever the time frame, my ‘proposed schedule’ is out the window. Once the habit (however meager) is started, breaking it, is remarkably easy and it’s harder than ever getting back on track.

            I encourage you to consider areas in your life where “giving up” seems to be the best option.  Ask God to give you the courage to keep moving forward, clarity to know where you are heading, perseverance to stand against the obstacles that will certainly arise, and trust in God who goes before you in all things! Be inspired! Don’t give up!